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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

my confession for a $57 grocery bill

as requested by Kaitlin.

There are two HUGE reasons why I was able to buy our groceries for so little this week:
#1 - I've been cloth diapering a lot more lately and so I don't need any disposable diapers, saving around $10. (I buy Luvs.)
#2 - Last week I had extra money and stocked up on formula, saving $14 this week. (I buy the Kroger soy brand.)

Buying store brands saves a ton of money, especially because Kroger usually discounts their store brands for their members (meaning I have a little card that they scan.) I'm pretty sure that when I signed up for the membership card I also marked to receive coupons. They mail us a packet of coupons 6-8 times a year. Some are from the manufacturer but some are based on my shopping - those are very valuable. I've gotten bread, Nestle chocolate chips and tortilla chips for free several times because of the personalized coupons.

The other thing that is just as important as buying store brands is prioritizing. If I would have needed formula we wouldn't have gotten the peaches, parchment paper, cranberries, and some crackers I bought for the kids.

Having a garden has saved us money. I also ration milk: Trav, L and I each get only 1/2 gallon a week. I make bigger dinners so we can eat leftovers for lunch (this is especially easy and inexpensive to do with pasta). We don't buy really nice bread (it's $1 a loaf) but my hope is to someday get a craigslist bread machine and fix that. We rarely buy pre-made food. Even frozen pizzas are a rarity around here anymore. The only thing I buy in the frozen food section is veggies and the occasional ice cream treat.

Also, I have done some comparing and it seems that for the products I buy, I spend less at Kroger. Often people think I'm crazy for shopping at Kroger over Wal-Mart on such a tight budget, but I honestly save more at Kroger than at Wal-Mart. However, I'm pretty sure that's not true for everyone.

Lastly, I go to the store with cash and a list. I stick to both and I use my phone's calculator to make sure I'm not going over my allotted amount of money.

I agree about saving more when I shop at Fry's/Kroger vs Walmart! I never would have believed it if I hadn't recently started seeing the difference! Of course some things are still cheaper at Walmart like cleaning supplies.

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So Thank You!

Prayer for Canonization of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Father, source of all holiness, You raise up within the Church in every age men and women who serve with heroic love and dedication. You have blessed Your Church through the life and ministry of Your faithful servant, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. He has written and spoken well of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and was a true instrument of the Holy Spirit in touching the hearts of countless people.

If it be according to your Will, for the honor and glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for the salvation of souls, we ask You to move the Church to proclaim him a saint. We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen